Investigative journalism is a type of reporting that looks for corruption, abuses of power, and illegal practices that negatively affect people. It can involve examining public records and documents, conducting interviews with sources, and analyzing data. These reports often take days, weeks, or even years to complete and require thorough research and fact-checking to maintain accuracy.
An investigation may be conducted by a single journalist or by teams of journalists working together across different media outlets and countries. It can also be conducted by a nonprofit organization that relies on donations from the public and other benefactors for funding, such as ProPublica. Some well-known news organizations with a history of investigative journalism include The New York Times, The Washington Post, and BBC News.
Whether an investigation is undertaken by a large newspaper or an independent publication, it is important to understand the potential risks involved in this type of work. Journalists can face legal threats and repercussions, especially when they make damning conclusions about people or institutions. This is why many investigative journalists choose to be employed by larger publications, which have the resources and legal support to protect their employees.
In addition, investigative journalism is a time-consuming process that requires significant financial resources and dedicated staff. This can be challenging for media organizations that must balance the public’s right to know with the need to safeguard the safety and privacy of their sources. The infamous Pentagon Papers and the Panama Papers are examples of investigative journalism that changed the way we think about our government and the world around us.